Vaporizing device for disinfectants and the like



y 6, 1952 J. E. RANDOLPH 2,595,982

VAPORIZING DEVICE FOR DISINFECTANTS AND THE LIKE Filed 001;. 7, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 5 rr n 7 mvewm WW 0 We) Arm-away May 6, 1952 J RANDQLPH 2,595,982

VAPORIZING DEVICE FOR DISINFECTANTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sl-IEETS-SHEE'I 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1950 46 INVENTOF? Mme-5 EOWARD Mrvoomfl.

' A) TTQRNEY Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED VAPORIZING DEVICE FOR DISIN- FECTANTS AND THE LIKE James Edward Randolph, Edinburgh, Scotland Application October 7, 1950, Serial No. 188,915

In Great Britain October 10, 1949 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to vaporizing devices for use with liquid disinfectants and the like and has for an object to provide a device of this nature for disinfecting and purifying air which is safe to handle, simple to manufacture, and adapted to effectually vaporize the disinfectant or the like and distribute the same through the atmosphere to be treated. It is a further 'objectof the invention to provide detachable means for increasing the humidity of the atmosphere when required.

. According to the present invention a vaporiziIlg device for disinfectants and the like comprises a vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a shaft having an axial bore and supporting a plurality of fan blades, means for rotating said shaft, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to the bore of said shaft, and a vaporizing screen or screens carried by said shaft and in communication with the bore thereof whereby liquid fed to the shaft is discharged by centrifugal force on to said screen or screens and vaporized, the resultant vapour being distributed by the fan blades as they rotate. When it is required to increase the humidity of the atmosphere additional jets are provided by means of which the liquid is discharged directly into the air stream.

The discharge of liquid through the radial bores is preferably controlled by valves provided in said bores and constructed to open automatically at a predetermined speed of rotation of the fan.

The invention may be embodied in newly constructed fans or may be readily applied to existing fans whether electrically or mechanically driven such as ceiling fans, desk fans and the like whether oscillating or otherwise.

Two embodiments of the invention as applied to a table type electrically driven fan and a ceiling type fan are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a table fan;

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line IIII of Figure l and drawn to an enlarged scale; and

Figure 3 is a side elevational view also partly in section of a ceiling type fan.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a table fan comprises a base I upon which is mounted an electric motor 2, upon the shaft 3 of which are mounted three blades 4 which rotate with the shaft and are angularly disposed equidistantly with respect thereto. The shaft 3 is formed with a bore 5 extending longitudinally thereof which communicates at the rear endby means of a pipe 6 with a tank I mounted on the motor and adapted to contain liquid disinfectant or the like. The tank is provided with a filling stopper 8 and a cock 9 for controlling the flow of liquid to the plpe.

Near the other end of the shaft the bore 5 communicates with three radial bores l0 extending through the wall of the shaft and communicating with further radial bores ll formed in a hub 12 secured to the shaft in any suitable manner as by welding for example. Surrounding the hub I2 is an annular chamber l8 formed by two circular plates l3 and I4 secured to opposite sides of the hub 12 by means of bolts I5, and a circumferential ring I6 soldered or otherwise secured to the peripheries of the plates 13 and 14. The ring l6 supports the blades 4 and is provided with apertures l1 spaced around the periphery thereof.

The annular chamber I8 is adapted to contain an annular member of wire gauze or similar gauze, formed by winding a strip 19 of such gauze around a former and soldering the layers together or uniting them by electronic process. For example there may be seventeen layers of gauze having approximately 1600 holes to the square inch or other sizes may be used as determined experimentally. This annular member constitutes a vaporising screen for vaporising the liquiddisinfectant or the like as it issues under the action of centrifugal force from the radial bores II, the vapour thus formed being discharged through the apertures l1 into the air stream produced by the rotation of the blades 4. A rubber or like ring 20 is inserted between the hub l2 and the gauze strip l9 to seal the annular chamber, apertures 2| being provided in the rubber ring to register with the radial bores ll. 7

In orderto control the flow of liquid through the radial bores I I so that for example the liquid is not delivered to the vaporising screen until the fan reaches a predetermined speed of rotation, steel balls 22 coated with rubber or like material are. provided which balls are urged in wardly of the bores ll against the outlets of the radial bores Ill by means of springs 23. The springs 23 are secured in position by means of screw threaded apertured plugs 24 by which the tension of the springs may be adjusted thereby varying the speed of the fan at which the balls will move outwardly under the action of centrifugal force and permit the flow of liquid into the radial bores ll.

A liquid tight joint between the shaft and the inlet pipe 6 is provided at the rear of the motor and comprises a hollow flanged cap member 25 to which the pipe is connected, a circular plate 26 having a bore larger than the shaft 3, a further circular plate 21 fitting closely on the shaft, and a bracket 28 secured to the motor frame as by bolts 29. The face of the flange of the cap member 25 and the opposing face of the plate 21 are formed with annular recesses 30 adapted to receive the ends of a sleeve 3| of a pliable material such as for example chamois leather which closely surrounds the shaft and passes through the enlarged bore of the plate 26. The cap member 25 and the plates 26 and 21 are secured to the bracket 28 by means of screws 32 and by tightening the screws 32, the ends of the chamois leather sleeve are pressed into the recesses 30 around the shaft 3 to form a liquid tight joint.

An impellor device is also provided for assisting the flow of liquid through the bore of the shaft and comprises a cylindrical member 33 having a spiral thread formed on its outer surface and adapted to rotate within the hollow cap member 25. The cylindrical member is secured to the end of the shaft, and spaced therefrom, by means of pins 34 so that upon rotation of the shaft the liquid is forced through the helical channel formed by the threads and into the bore of the shaft.

A fan guard 35 of wire mesh is fitted on the forward end of the motor in the usual manner and is provided at its lower portion with a curved metal tray 36 to receive any liquid which may issue from the apertures l1.

The front end of the bore 5 is threaded to receive a small screw by means of which the bore is closed. When it is desired to increase the humidity of the atmosphere, however, the screw is removed and a disc like member 31 secured to the shaft by means of a screw 38. The disc like member is formed with radial bores 39 connecting with a central bore 40, the screw 38 being sliced as shown in the drawing to permit the passage of liquid from the bore 5 to the radial bores 39. The liquid thus issues in the form of a fine vapour like spray from the bores 39 in front of the blades 4 and is thus carried in the air stream produced by the-fan.

In the construction shown in Figure 3 an electric motor 4| is supported in a vertical position by means of brackets 42 upon a ceiling or like supporting surface 43. The shaft 44 of the motor has a longitudinal bore 45 and supports at its lower end a hub 46 to which are secured fan blades 41. The upper end of the shaft is rotatably mounted within a liquid tight joint and liquid impellor device indicated generally at 48 and of similar construction to that already described with reference to Figure 1. A pipe 49 conveys the liquid from a tank (not shown) to the bore 45 in the manner already described.

A further hub or boss 50 is secured to the shaft 44 above the hub 46 and has formed therein radial bores 5| which register with further radial bores 52 extending through the Wall of the shaft. Tubular members 53 are secured to the hub 50 as by welding for example and surround the bores 5|. The bores 5| are closed by mushroom type valve members 54 which are urged against the bores by means of springs 55 the tension of which is adjustable by means of threaded apertured plugs 56 screwed into the ends of the members 53.

Surrounding the outer ends of the members 53, and in screw threaded engagement therewith are further tubes 51 containing vaporising screens 58 formed of wire mesh or gauze wound upon itself in the form of a cylinder, an apertured rubber gasket 59 being secured between one end of the screen and the outer end of the member 53. The end portions of the tubes 51 are apertured as at 60 to permit the flow of vaporised liquid therefrom.

Thus, as in the case of the construction shown in Figure 1, when the fan reaches a predetermined speed, the valves 54 are forced outwardly by centrifugal force to permit the liquid to flow through the bores 5| to the vaporising screens 58 and from thence, in the form of vapour, through the apertures 60 into the air stream produced by the fan.

It will be understood that although only two -fan blades and two vaporising tubes are shown in the drawing, any suitable number, for example, four may be provided.

In use the tank is charged with the disinfectant or the like and the motor is started up so as to rotate the fan. At lower speeds of the fan for example up to half-speed the springs in the radial bores hold the valves closed and prevent the flow of the disinfectant into the vaporiser. At a predetermined speed controlled by the adjustment of the springs the action of centrifugal force causes the ball valves to open against the pressure of their springs so that the liquid disinfectant is projected through said radial bores onto the vaporizing screen of gauze where the force and pressure atomizes the same. The vapour thus formed passes out through suitable openings into the air currents caused by the fan blades and so becomes distributed into the surrounding atmosphere.

It will readily be seen that the apparatus according to the invention can be readily fitted to existing fans, vacuum cleaners and the like.

In hospitals, schools, cinemas or other buildings which require to have the air conditioned or disinfected the liquid disinfectant is placed in a tank which may have a ball cock and the tank is connected to the vaporizing fans by flexible tubing and such an installation may be controlled by a time clock or a humidity meter or both in such a manner as to make the disinfecting of the building automatic and independent of the human element.

In ships or the like or in tropical climates where a controlled humid atmosphere is desirable, water could be introduced with the desire effect.

What I claim is:

l. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a shaft having an axial bore and supporting a plurality of fan blades, means for rotating said shaft, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to the bore of said shaft, and radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft and in communication with the bore thereof whereby liquid fed to the shaft is discharged by centrifugal force through said screensand vaporised, the resultant vapour being distributed by the fan blades as they rotate.

2. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, and radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in com- 5.. munication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and thevaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated.

. 3; A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, radially movable valve means interposed between the outer ends of said radial bores and said screens, and spring means normally maintaining said valve means against the outer ends of said radial bores closing the same, whereby discharge of the liquid onto said screens is effective only after the shaft has reached such predetermined speed of rotation that centrifugal force has unseated said valve means against the action of said springs.

4. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, spring loaded valves positioned against the outlets of said radial bores to close the same, and means for adjusting the tension of the springs, whereby the valves are caused to open at a predetermined speed of rotation of the shaft.

5. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, a liquid disinfectant tank supported above said shaft, a drain pipe joined at one end to said tank, and liquid tight connecting means interconnecting the other end of said pipe and the bore of said shaft in communicating relation.

6. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, saidshaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, a

liquid disinfectant tank supported above said shaft, a drain pipe joined at one end to said tank, and liquid tight means interconnecting the other end of said pipe and the bore of said shaft in communicating relation, said liquid means comprising a hollow flanged cap joined to said other end of said pipe and receiving the end of said shaft, a disc-like member surrounding the shaft and having a bore larger than the shaft, a further disc-like member closely fitting the shaft, a sleeve of flexible material surrounding the shaft and extending the bore of said first mentioned disc-like member and having its ends disposed in annular recesses formed in the opposing faces of said flanged cap and said second mentioned disclike member, and screws extending through said cap and disc-like members so that by tightening the screws, the ends of the sleeve are pressed into said annular recesses to form a liquid tight joint around the shaft.

7. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screenscarried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, a liquid disinfectant tank supported above said shaft, a drain pipe joined at one end to said tank, liquid tight connecting means interconnecting the other end of said pipe and the bore of said shaft in communicating relation, and a rotatable impellor device within said liquidtight connection and joined to said shaft in spaced relation for assisting the flow of liquid through the shaft.

8. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, a liquid disinfectant tank supported above said shaft, a drain pipe joined at one end to said tank, a stationary sleeve fitting over said shaft and joined to the other end of said pipe, a cylindrical impeller device having an exterior spirally cut thread rotatably positioned within said sleeve and joined to said shaft in longitudinally spaced relation for assisting the flow of liquid through the shaft.

9. A vaporizing device for liquid disinfectants or the like comprising a rotatable shaft having an axial bore, a fan secured thereon, said shaft having radial bores communicating with said axial bore, means for supplying liquid disinfectant to said axial bore, and radially arranged vaporizing screens carried by said shaft in communication with said radial bores whereby said disinfectant is discharged by centrifugal force through said radial bores into contact with said vaporizing screens and the vaporized disinfectant is distributed by the fan as the shaft is rotated, said vaporizing screens being formed of a strip of wire fabric wound upon itself a number of times and secured together. ber

JAMES EDWARD RANDOLPH. 5 9 59 REFERENCES CITED 5 33g??? The following references are of record in the 1,199,033

file Of this patent: 1,962,100

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Allen Oct. 20, 1896 Rossiter Apr. 19, 1904 Clifiord Sept. 1, 1914 Worrel Sept. 19, 1916 Bryan June 5, 1934 

